STLTODAY.COM/BND.COM: report the St. Louis Blues last night fired Davis Payne as head coach, replacing him with Ken Hitchcock.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This comes as a surprise, not just because the Blues fired Payne, but because Hitchcock was rumored on the verge of rejoining the Columbus Blue Jackets as head coach. The Blues needed a change as they were off to a disappointing start, and Hitchcock could be what they need. He’s an experienced bench boss, one of the most respected in the NHL, who coached the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup in 1999.

MIAMI HERALD: The Florida Panthers are expected to recall goalie Scott Clemmensen from their farm team today, and are “almost certain” to demote Jacob Markstrom.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I admit I’m surprised by this development, as I felt Markstrom had played well enough to take over the backup role. Still, Clemmensen is an experienced netminder, and perhaps if he gets in enough games at the NHL level this season,he could be used as a trade chip later in the season; in which case, Markstrom could return to the Panthers lineup again later this season.

OTTAWA SUN: Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque writes in his new book he fought against the use of PEDs during his 12-year NHL career, and attempted to get the NHLPA to take action against the abuse of these drugs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: While I doubt the use of PEDs is as widespread in the NHL as it is, or has been, in other pro sports, I’m also not naive about their usage. Laraque’s comments shed further light on this subject and should be further investigated by the league and the PA.

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Young Ducks blueliner Cam Fowler continues to develop into the top pairing defenseman they envisioned he would become.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fowler in my opinion will one day become a perennial candidate for the Norris trophy.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers goalie Martin Biron recorded his 27th career shutout as he backstopped his team to a 3-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It had been rumored the floundering Columbus Blue Jackets were interested in hiring Hextall.

TBO.COM: The Lightning lost forward Ryan Malone and defenseman Victor Hedman to “upper body injuries”. Their status for the Lightning’s next game – Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers – is uncertain.

6 Comments

Aj
on November 7, 2011 at 1:05 pm

Georges who?

CoachBowman_2003
on November 7, 2011 at 7:19 pm

I don’t doubt Hitchcock’s knowledge of the game and his skills as a bench Boss,but his tyrant ways don’t always work well. I’m surprised that the Blue Jackets gave St-Louis permission to talk to him,they are divisional rivals after all. Wouldn’t it be a kick in the head if the Blues played the Jackets in the near future, and ran them out of the rink with a 8-0 win.

gravitymike
on November 7, 2011 at 7:20 pm

I can understand sending Markstrom down. He needs to play #1 minutes and fine tune his game. Splitting time and suffering in a Panthers clunker more times than not is not good for his long-term growth. Granted Fla. doesn’t have a lot of time but patience is the best prescription for him. I do agree he’ll be in Fla. permanently when the trade deadline rolls around.

In other news, Connolly out for a couple of weeks, again.

Biron has 27 shutouts. For a perennial back-up that’s an incredible number.

A. Donnybrook
on November 7, 2011 at 11:45 pm

Much like your article on the Blue Jackets, I think the Blues were in need for a big shake up. They made that deal last year that didn’t work and now they are switching coaches. If this fails which it will short term, what’s next?

Innovator
on November 7, 2011 at 11:55 pm

Good hire for St. Louis. Hitchcock will fix their PK which is one of if not the worst in the league right now.

I love how players always come out with these books after they retire from the game telling about all the drugs and abuse they saw in their career and how they want to change it now. It is a way for them to make money once their career is done. Controversy makes money.

JEB
on November 8, 2011 at 5:58 am

If the Blue Jackets hired Hextall, that would make Hextall the best goalie in the Columbus organization.

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